FilmSnobReviews

Title:  Rampage
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Brad Peyton
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Runtime:  1 hr 47 mins

What It Is: Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock) is a primatologist, and his best friend is an orphan primate named George, who is a rare breed of a gorilla. However, their lives are about to change when a secret science experiment goes wrong and infects George and two other animals with a mutant gene. Geneticist, Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris), an ex-employee of the science experiment, teams up with Davis to create an anecdote and save not just George, but all of Chicago.

What We Think: Rampage is your traditional over the top, CGI driven, loud explosions and effects, shoot’em up movie that does not fail to entertain. Even with it all its clichés, one-liners, and noticeable green screen, it is not hard to get involved in the crazy plus adventurous storyline and the great performance of Dwayne the Rock Johnson. It is no surprise that this film, just like the rest of his movies, has the rock giving his 110%. He makes this film believable and immersive. The Rock’s chemistry with his on-screen cast and fake CGI animals is so pure that you cannot help, but get attached to George, the CGI gorilla, and the rest of the cast. Even with forgettable one-liners, an incompetent villain, and a predictable plot, it delivers the excitement, fun and everything an audience should expect and want in a Dwayne the Rock Johnson action flick.

Our Grade: C+,  I personally find this movie is incredibly entertaining, but I do also acknowledge its major issues and flaws. However, overall what really brings the grade down is the very noticeable green screen effects. It is super distracting to see a burning Chicago city then have the Rock appear and look clear as day with almost a light beam around him. Other than that, it is a pretty fun movie. This is a movie which is so bad, that it is actually really great.